To narrow the gap between multi-agent formal modeling and multi-agent practical systems, multi-agent systems (MAS) are studied from the point of view of software architecture. As the existing architecture description languages (ADLs) are not suitable for describing the semantics of MAS, a novel architecture description language for MAS (ADLMAS) rooted in BDI model is proposed, which adopts Obje...

Because of the great interest in using multiagent systems (MAS) in a wide variety of applications in recent years, agent-oriented methodologies and related modeling techniques have become a priority for the development of large scale agent-based systems. The work we present here belongs to the disciplines of Software Engineering and Distributed Artificial Intelligence. More specifically, we are...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of stroke with a known preventive treatment. We compared poststroke recurrence and survival in Mexican Americans (MAs) and non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) with atrial fibrillation in a population-based study. METHODS Using surveillance methods from the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi Project, cases of ischemic stroke/transien...

In this study we investigated the effects of genetic deletion of the Angiotensin-(1-7) receptor Mas or the Angiotensin II receptor AT(2) on the expression of specific extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in atria, right ventricles and atrioventricular (AV) valves of neonatal and adult mice. Quantification of collagen types I, III and VI and fibronectin was performed using immunofluorescence-labe...

Iron (Fe) is essential for all living organisms, including humans and plants. To acquire Fe in the soil, graminaceous plants produce and secrete mugineic acid family phytosiderophores (MAs) from their roots. MAs chelate and solubilize insoluble Fe hydroxide in the soil. Subsequently, plants take up Fe-MAs complexes through specific transporters on the root cell membrane. MAs and nicotianamine (...

Methods We have performed retrospective study. Medical charts of children with definite MAS who were admitted to our rheumatology department in 2005-2013 were reviewed. We utilized the A.Ravelli criteria (2002) for detecting MAS. We used the main characteristic clinical and laboratorial markers of MAS only at the moment of MAS confirmation (± 3 days). The patients who developed MAS in the termi...

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in the cardiac and vascular remodeling associated with cardiovascular diseases. Angiotensin (Ang) II/AT(1) axis is known to promote cardiac hypertrophy and collagen deposition. In contrast, Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis opposes Ang II effects in the heart producing anti-trophic and anti-fibrotic effects. Exercise training is known to induce cardiac remodeling...

OBJECTIVE We wanted to determine minimal tube current (mAs) required for consistently good image quality on conventional 10-mm collimation chest CT and effect of tube current reduction on detection of mediastinal and lung abnormalities. Tube current reduction is desirable to reduce patient radiation dose. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Prospectively, 30 consecutive patients (mean weight, 68 kg; range, ...

Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (K(Ca)), in particular, the small and intermediate K(Ca) (SK(Ca) and IK(Ca), respectively) channels, are key players in endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated relaxation in small arteries. Hypertension is characterized by an endothelial dysfunction, possibly via reduced EDHF release and/or function. We hypothesize that during angiotensin II (14...

PURPOSE It is unclear why some children with falciparum malaria develop acute seizures and what determines the phenotype of seizures. We sought to determine if polymorphisms of malaria candidate genes are associated with acute seizures. METHODS Logistic regression was used to investigate genetic associations with malaria-associated seizures (MAS) and complex MAS (repetitive, prolonged, or foc...